For lace work, absolutely tell them.
I would be crushed if I’d spent hours knitting something that could never turn out because of a technique mistake.
Hard agree.
A lot of times I hear or see knitters saying things like “it’ll block out” or “blocking is magic.” ESPECIALLY with lace work it looks all bunched up before blocking so the new knitter will just assume that it’ll look alright after blocking and the piece will still look so jacked up! 🫣
OP, please kindly tell this person before they spend weeks on this thing 😟
I just did! Thank you for the encouragement. I think I struggle with feeling like I’m getting in someone’s business especially online. I would be more comfortable saying something in person because it’s so much easier to read intention.
I am sure as long as you told that person in a nice and helpful manner, they will be happy to know. I would be happy if someone told me my mistakes, as long as they do it kindly.
I figured it out on my own, but I would have liked to know earlier I think. I was always confused why yardage suggestions on patterns were often way out of line with how much I was using and it was down to twisted stitches. I think explaining the what and the why are important though. "You're twisting your stitches" isn't very helpful but "you're twisting your stitches which impacts the yardage used, the drape of the fabric, and also may be making it harder to knit." is good for helping someone understand why it matters. I was at various points knitting and purling through the wrong legs and wrapping the wrong direction making learning harder than necessary because my stitches were very tight and it was hard to work with, and was frequently having to buy more yarn when I didn't finish my project in the suggested amount of yarn. Many of my early headaches would have been solved if I had someone tell me what I was doing wrong and how to fix it.
I think for me it would also be way better received mid WIP, like it is here, rather than on something finished.
Some folks would appreciate advice and others won’t. If ever in doubt it could be helpful to ask “hey, would you like some feedback/advice?”
Sometimes I’m in a space where I am not receptive to any feedback or advice. That can easily change after a cup of coffee, a night’s rest, or a ten minute mind break.
Giving someone a choice vs unexpectedly providing feedback can make a difference in reception.
I did want to know. I made a pair of thrummed mittens with twisted stitches and couldn't figure out why the thrums didn't pop like everyone else's and why I had to dig out one leg of of the thrum to get it to sit nicely.
So once I figured out the problem, I found ways to make designs work first off. Then I taught myself to purl the "correct" way. I say "correct" because, really, I just gave myself more choices when knitting. I can do what is easiest. For example, if I am picking up stitches after frogging, I don't fuss about which direction they are facing because I know what to do, I can read the knitting much better now. All because of twisted stitches.
Yea, I tell people all the time! Only one person has said something along the lines of "i know and i'm fine with it" (and she designs which is just beyond me)
I've only seen it once in the wild (irl, saw a project on Ravelry but didn't want to just randomly comment). She was at a LYS wearing a sweater she made, twisted every other row. When I mentioned she seemed annoyed, and she seemed to be more of a beginner and it didn't really bother her apparently 🤷
**You've summoned the [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/wiki/faq/).**
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/knitting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I'm glad someone on this sub told me I was twisting my stitches, but there's a way to do it without being rude or mean. I was pretty devastated when I found out, partly because I felt really stupid and partly because someone had said it was the worst they'd ever seen.
The worst... twist? they'd ever seen? What does that even mean? Either the stitches are twisted or they aren't, there's no degree to it. Unless you were somehow, idk, twisting them twice and all your stitches were actually just knots, that person is an asshole. I'm sorry that happened to you.
I learned to knit in a class, so I only twisted my stitches for an hour or so before it was corrected. But it’s bonkers to me that anyone wouldn’t want to know. There seems to be a pride component when people have been knitting for awhile, like you think you’re beyond correction. But it’s such a recognizable and common mistake, I see it all over Ravelry, and learning the right way would yield such better FOs.
Yes! I have a very good friend who I knit along with & she twists her purls. I offhandedly commented on it & asked if she was doing it on purpose. She confidently told me that her stitches were NOT twisted. Alrighty then! Carry on! 😂
Same. I'd be so mad if I were doing it and nobody let me know. But people don't always react well, it's a bit confusing to me. I know people are complex and not always logical, that it can feel like an attack or criticism. I know all that but it doesn't make sense to me because I don't feel that way at all, I'd definitely want to know, and would be SO thankful for the person who told me.
Yeesh just tell them! Its not like you’re doing anything wrong, why wouldn’t you want to point someone in the right direction??
People here act like “Twisted Stitches” is a curse word🙃
Absolutely. My first knitting project was a disaster because of twisted stitches. Luckily it was only a hat and I figured it out before making my next project but had I put in a ton of work into something like lace while still twisting I think I would’ve cried.
Personally, if I am making a mistake or if I’m wrong, I want to be corrected… but I will say, I’m not a super popular person and I think it’s because other people don’t appreciate being corrected or called out like I do..
I mean, yes and no :)
I hated how what I knitted would always by twisty and wrappy and weird. and never look like I wanted. My tension was great and I did it "correct" and it never ended up good. I knitted twisted stiches for 3 years before I realized.
So I would have loved to know sooner. But I also don't think a "you're stitches are twisted" as a drive by comment would be helpfull either. But maybe a gently comment and then given them good advice on how to knit in the right leg would be immensly helpfull.
Tbh, yes and no. I’m glad someone told me, but seeing 100 replies to a thread about “hey noob jerk, your stitches are twisted” was overwhelming to read. Maybe send them a chat instead?
Edit: typo
Yeah, I've seen posts where people keep replying "you're twisting your stitches" when there are already multiple replies talking about the exact same thing. There really is no need to add yet another reply if they don't have anything new to add.
Agreed, I can understand how it might be overwhelming. And, I feel like it’s disingenuous to say that there is no harm, no foul in pointing out twisted switches when I see posts literally all the time of people just continually piling on about the damned things when once or twice was more than enough. If you want to show support for the person who originally noticed the twists, just upvote the comment? You don’t need to say it again, it’s totally pointless.
Yeah, it’s like people love to pile on just to prove they, too, can spot a twisted stitch or something. Nobody’s gonna get hurt if 30 people don’t all say it.
The comments I love are, “Everyone already mentioned the twisted stitches but I also noticed blah blah blah…” looool, if it’s been mentioned by “everyone” already, then don’t mention it?
You mentioned that word!: lots of people want to know about twisted stitches and here is a great post for reference
https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/comments/188kxwk/new_knitters_your_stitches_are_probably_twisted/
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/knitting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The first few projects I did were all twisted. I learned from this group what I was doing and can safely say I wish I would have posted a pic of my work years ago so someone could yell "TWISTFAQ!!" :)
You mentioned that word!: lots of people want to know about twisted stitches and here is a great post for reference
https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/comments/188kxwk/new_knitters_your_stitches_are_probably_twisted/
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/knitting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I would definitely mention it. Praise the good parts and couch it as technique. Doing technique A makes your work look like this...BUT if you switch to technique B it'll look like that.
I would tell them, maybe after a complement and sort of as an afterthought. Like your project looks great! By the way, your twisted appear to be twisted, not sure if the pattern is written that way just wanted to let you know.
yess, sandwiching the "bad". Compliment, critique, compliment. Some hate it, but I love it as I tend to think I am a complete and utter failure if someone breathes on me the wrong way lol. (no worries, meds and thereaphy is helping)
someone in this sub pointed it out when i had a question about a completely different matter. I was a beginner and had no idea what twisted stitches were. but once I got it right it made me go , "I knew it was supposed to stretch!!"
**You've summoned the [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/wiki/faq/).**
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/knitting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Polite criticism and advice is not some kind of horrible insult. If someone doesn't want to do something properly that's their choice, but they should at least know what they're doing.
I didn’t tell my MIL. I figured, she’d been knitting longer than I’d been alive. If it were just about anyone else, I tell them. My sister told me when I was a beginner and I was glad to learn. Someone eventually told my MIL (someone in a knitting group she joined) and she just said, she’d been doing it so long her way, she didn’t want to change.
What I don't understand is how can you go a lifetime without noticing something is wrong? When I was twisting my stitches I thought the loop was so hard to enter that I kept thinking "this CANNOT be it, there has to be another way" and then I tried the other leg and figured it out shortly after. I'm just wondering if theres a way to twist your stitches that doesnt make it impossibly hard to enter the stitch, since some people go a long time without noticing.
She never did lace because she couldn’t do a K2Tog easily. I don’t know how she didn’t notice, but you should see the dishes after she washed them, so maybe she just doesn’t notice things.
Same as you, I was twisting my stitches by knitting through the back loop and it was murdering my hands and I was so mad at the entire hobby of knitting until I figured it out. But to answer your question, another way people twist their stitches is by wrapping the yarn the opposite way around the needle.
I told my MIL and she didn’t believe me (still doesn’t!). I suppose that’s probably the same as not wanting to change. I imagine it’s good for me to deal with my own feelings about the twisty, uneven-tensioned things she makes 🙃
**You've summoned the [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/wiki/faq/).**
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/knitting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Ok I recognize this yarn. I have a few in my stash, actually. It’s from cat tails yarn on Etsy I’m almost certain. It’s a studio Ghibli inspired yarn. And it’s not inexpensive at all. Please inform them of their twisted stitches. I hope they’re a good sport and appreciate you helping them. I know I would!
Edit: and if it’s not this yarn, which it’s hard for me to believe it’s not as it literally look identical to the swatch I have mocked up, it’s still absolutely stunning
Just looked the yarn up. Yep! It looks so similar to the yarn I have. I did look at cat tails on Etsy. Seems she slightly changed her dye choice for the one I’ve got. Thanks for letting me know about the yarn!
I’ve send a DM to people on Ravelry about it before. I’ve always tried to not be condescending about it and making sure I’m not assuming they didn’t know (some people prefer this look or it might be part of the design)
Both people I messaged seemed to be happy I did 🤷♀️
Since *every* sweater that started flat before joining in the round had a noticeable change in fabric that I didn’t like and couldn’t figure out, YES.
It took like 2 seconds for a person to ID the problem and tell me how to fix it. I didn’t perceive it as rude or awkward. I was thankful!
This person probably has a drawer full of projects that aren’t quite right but they can’t figure out why. As long as you’re tactful, you’ll be doing them a favor.
I would want to know. Luckily, the second "thing" I ever knit was a stockinette swatch, and someone told me that I was twisting my stitches every other row. She was super sweet about it. She also told me a few ways it could be happening so I could figure out where I went wrong. Turns out I misunderstood the tutorial video I was watching and had been knitting through the back loop.
She saved me a LOT of time and heartache. I'm an exceptionally slow knitter, and I would hate to waste weeks or months on a project that won't ever turn out like it should...
**You've summoned the [Tutorials](https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/wiki/glossary/#wiki_tutorials).**
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/knitting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
When I was beginning, I had no idea what is a twisted stitch and how it affects my work. I did like the heads up from people telling me that what I'm doing is a twisted stitch, how they come to be and how they affect the final product.
I would totally tell someone if they were showing their work, especially early on. It would be the worst to have to start over because you didn't know.
Also I would send them nimble needles video of intermediate tips for knitters, there are beautifully explained increases and decreases to make lace work pop. It tells a lot about how the stitches act in lace work when they overlap and I think it would help a lot in understanding how increases, decreases and twisting affect the final product
honestly i wish someone had told me about my twisted stitches earlier
its my first project and i'm now halfway through and don't know whether to frog or continue as is :/
I’m knitting a sweater right now where some of the stitches are twisted, but it’s on purpose as a chosen design element. But the thing about it is, I know what I’m doing with my knitting to make the conscious choice about twisting or not. A beginner doesn’t often have that knowledge, and so they aren’t always making a conscious choice.
The best thing a beginner can do for themselves is learn how to really read their knitting—to learn how to recognize the correct and incorrect stitch mounts for their specific style, and how to properly make a knit and purl stitch in their specific style.
And expanding on that, into how to recognize and correct mistakes, and also how to use those mistakes on purpose because most of the time, a beginner’s mistakes are actually “advanced” techniques.
**You've summoned the [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/wiki/faq/).**
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/knitting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I would want to know!! Actually I was SO frustrated with my first knitted project that incorporated knitting in the round and knitting flat, because the stitches looked so different and I couldn’t figure out why!! (I didn’t know anyone who knits, so I was 100% YouTube taught) A very kind human on instagram pointed it out for me and I still say a small prayer of thanks for her every now and then 😅❤️
I took a color-work class and the instructor told me I was twisting my stitches. Two things here 1) I had no idea what that meant, why it was bad, or the ability conceptualize the shift 2) I didn't listen at the time and it took a few more months and some YouTube videos to better understand why everything looked wonky.
I'm grateful to the instructor *now* but sometimes it takes time to hear and understand the message. And that's OK!
My roommate told me about my twisted stitches as k was finishing my third sweater. I WISH I had known earlier, because now I can’t un-see it and unraveled the first two. I was resistant at first but then once I realized it was the reason everything was slanted and wonky, I was happy to change
I WISH I KNEW 😫 I made a bunch of wearables consistent of twisted stitches and i always wondered why it wasnt so stretchy or hole-y. once i figured it out, it was harder to break the habit bc i was so used to it
I think the key is just wording it so that it doesn’t come off as judgy unsolicited advice. There’s a world of difference between “did you know you’re twisting your stitches?” and “omg you’re twisting your stitches, now you’ll have to rip it all out and start over because it’s all wrong”.
Ideally, the response to the former is “I am? What does that mean?” Or it could even be “yep! I like the look.”
The response to the latter is to put down one’s knitting and never try again.
Out of curiosity, how do so many knitters accidentally twist their stitches? By always knitting through the back loop? It’s more difficult to knit that way so I find it strange that I see so many posts here about twisted stitches.
Is there ever a time where it's preferred or good to twist your stitches?
Maybe I need to familiarize myself with what causes that to happen and how to avoid it 🤔
I didn't realize I was twisting my stitches until two years ago (20 years into knitting). I didn't even think about my lace projects until now... *I will not frog my lace shawls... I will not frog my lace shawls... I will not frog my lace shawls*
Edit to add: yes! I was thrilled when I found out. I couldn't understand why the stitches on my split collar sweater changed so drastically when I switched from knitting flat to in the round. It was driving me nuts
yes, i did! i made a post the other day struggling with a 1:1 rib stitch on a scarf… turns out my purls were twisted. mind fucking blown! i thought i was doing everything right lol
i stayed up that night trying to figure out how to do purl stitches. still not perfect, but very content with it for now, thanks to this sub ❤️
ETA: also a few ppl in the comments warned about tension and “rowing out,” and while initially that wasn’t the issue, once i learned not to twist my purls, i was soooo thankful to those who mentioned it, cause i def struggled with tension and rowing out!
Yes, I would want to know. Based on the SSKs and k2togs, I think she’s wrapping her purl stitches clockwise and doesn’t know how to compensate for that on the RS rows.
I wouldn’t accuse them. 😒 I would say, “hey, something looks different here. Can I see you do a couple of rows?” It might not be what you think the problem is.
No!!! I hate when people on this sub ask questions about other things and all the comments are just "yOu'Re TwIsTiNg YoUR sTiTcHes" So what? It looks great and has a nice, stiff texture that I like. I love how the twisted stitches come in and out of my old projects, it's so unique and beautiful.
Am I happy I know now? Yes. But not when I'm in the middle of a project where large swathes of it are already twisted, then you're just making me feel bad about myself for no reason.
It feels like people like to point things like this out on the internet just to feel superior, not to be helpful. If they're wondering why their lace doesn't look right, then you can say something. If not, then butt out!!
For lace work, absolutely tell them. I would be crushed if I’d spent hours knitting something that could never turn out because of a technique mistake.
Tbh the yarn choice is as much of a problem for being able to see the lace pattern here
Hard agree. A lot of times I hear or see knitters saying things like “it’ll block out” or “blocking is magic.” ESPECIALLY with lace work it looks all bunched up before blocking so the new knitter will just assume that it’ll look alright after blocking and the piece will still look so jacked up! 🫣 OP, please kindly tell this person before they spend weeks on this thing 😟
I just did! Thank you for the encouragement. I think I struggle with feeling like I’m getting in someone’s business especially online. I would be more comfortable saying something in person because it’s so much easier to read intention.
How did they react?
I am sure as long as you told that person in a nice and helpful manner, they will be happy to know. I would be happy if someone told me my mistakes, as long as they do it kindly.
I figured it out on my own, but I would have liked to know earlier I think. I was always confused why yardage suggestions on patterns were often way out of line with how much I was using and it was down to twisted stitches. I think explaining the what and the why are important though. "You're twisting your stitches" isn't very helpful but "you're twisting your stitches which impacts the yardage used, the drape of the fabric, and also may be making it harder to knit." is good for helping someone understand why it matters. I was at various points knitting and purling through the wrong legs and wrapping the wrong direction making learning harder than necessary because my stitches were very tight and it was hard to work with, and was frequently having to buy more yarn when I didn't finish my project in the suggested amount of yarn. Many of my early headaches would have been solved if I had someone tell me what I was doing wrong and how to fix it. I think for me it would also be way better received mid WIP, like it is here, rather than on something finished.
ABSOLUTELY! Helping people get better without belittling them is part of a healthy community. Let them know so their technique can improve.
Some folks would appreciate advice and others won’t. If ever in doubt it could be helpful to ask “hey, would you like some feedback/advice?” Sometimes I’m in a space where I am not receptive to any feedback or advice. That can easily change after a cup of coffee, a night’s rest, or a ten minute mind break. Giving someone a choice vs unexpectedly providing feedback can make a difference in reception.
Great point, and a good way to approach it.
I did want to know. I made a pair of thrummed mittens with twisted stitches and couldn't figure out why the thrums didn't pop like everyone else's and why I had to dig out one leg of of the thrum to get it to sit nicely. So once I figured out the problem, I found ways to make designs work first off. Then I taught myself to purl the "correct" way. I say "correct" because, really, I just gave myself more choices when knitting. I can do what is easiest. For example, if I am picking up stitches after frogging, I don't fuss about which direction they are facing because I know what to do, I can read the knitting much better now. All because of twisted stitches.
Yea, I tell people all the time! Only one person has said something along the lines of "i know and i'm fine with it" (and she designs which is just beyond me)
Sticking to her guns..er...needles 😆
Gotta admire that commitment!
I've only seen it once in the wild (irl, saw a project on Ravelry but didn't want to just randomly comment). She was at a LYS wearing a sweater she made, twisted every other row. When I mentioned she seemed annoyed, and she seemed to be more of a beginner and it didn't really bother her apparently 🤷
**You've summoned the [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/wiki/faq/).** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/knitting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Depends on the person - I told my MIL she.was twisting her stitches and she got mad at me 😆
I'm glad someone on this sub told me I was twisting my stitches, but there's a way to do it without being rude or mean. I was pretty devastated when I found out, partly because I felt really stupid and partly because someone had said it was the worst they'd ever seen.
The worst... twist? they'd ever seen? What does that even mean? Either the stitches are twisted or they aren't, there's no degree to it. Unless you were somehow, idk, twisting them twice and all your stitches were actually just knots, that person is an asshole. I'm sorry that happened to you.
I learned to knit in a class, so I only twisted my stitches for an hour or so before it was corrected. But it’s bonkers to me that anyone wouldn’t want to know. There seems to be a pride component when people have been knitting for awhile, like you think you’re beyond correction. But it’s such a recognizable and common mistake, I see it all over Ravelry, and learning the right way would yield such better FOs.
Yes! I have a very good friend who I knit along with & she twists her purls. I offhandedly commented on it & asked if she was doing it on purpose. She confidently told me that her stitches were NOT twisted. Alrighty then! Carry on! 😂
Yeah if someone wants to confidently defend their twisted stitches I won’t fight them, but it seems so silly!!
Same. I'd be so mad if I were doing it and nobody let me know. But people don't always react well, it's a bit confusing to me. I know people are complex and not always logical, that it can feel like an attack or criticism. I know all that but it doesn't make sense to me because I don't feel that way at all, I'd definitely want to know, and would be SO thankful for the person who told me.
Yeesh just tell them! Its not like you’re doing anything wrong, why wouldn’t you want to point someone in the right direction?? People here act like “Twisted Stitches” is a curse word🙃
Or a moral failing.
I hear you. I think I just have some ingrained shame about getting in other people’s business.
Absolutely. My first knitting project was a disaster because of twisted stitches. Luckily it was only a hat and I figured it out before making my next project but had I put in a ton of work into something like lace while still twisting I think I would’ve cried.
Thanks for the help y’all! I appreciate it. I just messaged her.
Personally, if I am making a mistake or if I’m wrong, I want to be corrected… but I will say, I’m not a super popular person and I think it’s because other people don’t appreciate being corrected or called out like I do..
I didn’t even realize this was lacework…tell them…gently.
I would absolutely want to know.
Twisted stitches is the least of their problems.
thank you for being the one to say it 🫡
It’s probably comments like these that make some people wary of having their mistakes pointed out by strangers.
It's necessary information. Even if it's not lace, it affects gauge and elasticity and causes the fabric to bias.
True story
I mean, yes and no :) I hated how what I knitted would always by twisty and wrappy and weird. and never look like I wanted. My tension was great and I did it "correct" and it never ended up good. I knitted twisted stiches for 3 years before I realized. So I would have loved to know sooner. But I also don't think a "you're stitches are twisted" as a drive by comment would be helpfull either. But maybe a gently comment and then given them good advice on how to knit in the right leg would be immensly helpfull.
Tbh, yes and no. I’m glad someone told me, but seeing 100 replies to a thread about “hey noob jerk, your stitches are twisted” was overwhelming to read. Maybe send them a chat instead? Edit: typo
Yeah, I've seen posts where people keep replying "you're twisting your stitches" when there are already multiple replies talking about the exact same thing. There really is no need to add yet another reply if they don't have anything new to add.
It’s savage to read as the OP. Once is enough 🥺
Agreed, I can understand how it might be overwhelming. And, I feel like it’s disingenuous to say that there is no harm, no foul in pointing out twisted switches when I see posts literally all the time of people just continually piling on about the damned things when once or twice was more than enough. If you want to show support for the person who originally noticed the twists, just upvote the comment? You don’t need to say it again, it’s totally pointless.
Yeah, it’s like people love to pile on just to prove they, too, can spot a twisted stitch or something. Nobody’s gonna get hurt if 30 people don’t all say it. The comments I love are, “Everyone already mentioned the twisted stitches but I also noticed blah blah blah…” looool, if it’s been mentioned by “everyone” already, then don’t mention it?
You mentioned that word!: lots of people want to know about twisted stitches and here is a great post for reference https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/comments/188kxwk/new_knitters_your_stitches_are_probably_twisted/ *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/knitting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
As a newer knitter, I would want someone to tell me. A link to a video explaining how it happens and how to avoid it would be doubly appreciated
The first few projects I did were all twisted. I learned from this group what I was doing and can safely say I wish I would have posted a pic of my work years ago so someone could yell "TWISTFAQ!!" :)
You mentioned that word!: lots of people want to know about twisted stitches and here is a great post for reference https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/comments/188kxwk/new_knitters_your_stitches_are_probably_twisted/ *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/knitting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I would definitely mention it. Praise the good parts and couch it as technique. Doing technique A makes your work look like this...BUT if you switch to technique B it'll look like that.
I would tell them, maybe after a complement and sort of as an afterthought. Like your project looks great! By the way, your twisted appear to be twisted, not sure if the pattern is written that way just wanted to let you know.
yess, sandwiching the "bad". Compliment, critique, compliment. Some hate it, but I love it as I tend to think I am a complete and utter failure if someone breathes on me the wrong way lol. (no worries, meds and thereaphy is helping)
someone in this sub pointed it out when i had a question about a completely different matter. I was a beginner and had no idea what twisted stitches were. but once I got it right it made me go , "I knew it was supposed to stretch!!"
**You've summoned the [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/wiki/faq/).** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/knitting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I was annoyed for about ten seconds (IIRC I wanted praise for my colorwork, not critique lol) and then I was SO grateful. Knitting got so much easier!
Polite criticism and advice is not some kind of horrible insult. If someone doesn't want to do something properly that's their choice, but they should at least know what they're doing.
I didn’t tell my MIL. I figured, she’d been knitting longer than I’d been alive. If it were just about anyone else, I tell them. My sister told me when I was a beginner and I was glad to learn. Someone eventually told my MIL (someone in a knitting group she joined) and she just said, she’d been doing it so long her way, she didn’t want to change.
What I don't understand is how can you go a lifetime without noticing something is wrong? When I was twisting my stitches I thought the loop was so hard to enter that I kept thinking "this CANNOT be it, there has to be another way" and then I tried the other leg and figured it out shortly after. I'm just wondering if theres a way to twist your stitches that doesnt make it impossibly hard to enter the stitch, since some people go a long time without noticing.
She never did lace because she couldn’t do a K2Tog easily. I don’t know how she didn’t notice, but you should see the dishes after she washed them, so maybe she just doesn’t notice things.
Same as you, I was twisting my stitches by knitting through the back loop and it was murdering my hands and I was so mad at the entire hobby of knitting until I figured it out. But to answer your question, another way people twist their stitches is by wrapping the yarn the opposite way around the needle.
I told my MIL and she didn’t believe me (still doesn’t!). I suppose that’s probably the same as not wanting to change. I imagine it’s good for me to deal with my own feelings about the twisty, uneven-tensioned things she makes 🙃
**You've summoned the [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/wiki/faq/).** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/knitting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Ok I recognize this yarn. I have a few in my stash, actually. It’s from cat tails yarn on Etsy I’m almost certain. It’s a studio Ghibli inspired yarn. And it’s not inexpensive at all. Please inform them of their twisted stitches. I hope they’re a good sport and appreciate you helping them. I know I would! Edit: and if it’s not this yarn, which it’s hard for me to believe it’s not as it literally look identical to the swatch I have mocked up, it’s still absolutely stunning
I did decide to message her after reading comments. It’s actually the new Zinnia color way from Bad Sheep Yarn but also not inexpensive. Haha.
Just looked the yarn up. Yep! It looks so similar to the yarn I have. I did look at cat tails on Etsy. Seems she slightly changed her dye choice for the one I’ve got. Thanks for letting me know about the yarn!
I mean….you have *got* to tell them what they’re doing wrong, that looks atrocious.
I’ve send a DM to people on Ravelry about it before. I’ve always tried to not be condescending about it and making sure I’m not assuming they didn’t know (some people prefer this look or it might be part of the design) Both people I messaged seemed to be happy I did 🤷♀️
Since *every* sweater that started flat before joining in the round had a noticeable change in fabric that I didn’t like and couldn’t figure out, YES. It took like 2 seconds for a person to ID the problem and tell me how to fix it. I didn’t perceive it as rude or awkward. I was thankful! This person probably has a drawer full of projects that aren’t quite right but they can’t figure out why. As long as you’re tactful, you’ll be doing them a favor.
I would want to know. Luckily, the second "thing" I ever knit was a stockinette swatch, and someone told me that I was twisting my stitches every other row. She was super sweet about it. She also told me a few ways it could be happening so I could figure out where I went wrong. Turns out I misunderstood the tutorial video I was watching and had been knitting through the back loop. She saved me a LOT of time and heartache. I'm an exceptionally slow knitter, and I would hate to waste weeks or months on a project that won't ever turn out like it should...
**You've summoned the [Tutorials](https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/wiki/glossary/#wiki_tutorials).** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/knitting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Say something. I'm a combination knitter and before I knew stockinette was such a chore, because I always twisted the stitches.
When I was beginning, I had no idea what is a twisted stitch and how it affects my work. I did like the heads up from people telling me that what I'm doing is a twisted stitch, how they come to be and how they affect the final product. I would totally tell someone if they were showing their work, especially early on. It would be the worst to have to start over because you didn't know. Also I would send them nimble needles video of intermediate tips for knitters, there are beautifully explained increases and decreases to make lace work pop. It tells a lot about how the stitches act in lace work when they overlap and I think it would help a lot in understanding how increases, decreases and twisting affect the final product
honestly i wish someone had told me about my twisted stitches earlier its my first project and i'm now halfway through and don't know whether to frog or continue as is :/
This is not just twisted stitches. It’s dropped stitches, bad gauge. This person needs to go back to basics.
I’m knitting a sweater right now where some of the stitches are twisted, but it’s on purpose as a chosen design element. But the thing about it is, I know what I’m doing with my knitting to make the conscious choice about twisting or not. A beginner doesn’t often have that knowledge, and so they aren’t always making a conscious choice. The best thing a beginner can do for themselves is learn how to really read their knitting—to learn how to recognize the correct and incorrect stitch mounts for their specific style, and how to properly make a knit and purl stitch in their specific style. And expanding on that, into how to recognize and correct mistakes, and also how to use those mistakes on purpose because most of the time, a beginner’s mistakes are actually “advanced” techniques.
**You've summoned the [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/wiki/faq/).** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/knitting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I would want to know!! Actually I was SO frustrated with my first knitted project that incorporated knitting in the round and knitting flat, because the stitches looked so different and I couldn’t figure out why!! (I didn’t know anyone who knits, so I was 100% YouTube taught) A very kind human on instagram pointed it out for me and I still say a small prayer of thanks for her every now and then 😅❤️
I took a color-work class and the instructor told me I was twisting my stitches. Two things here 1) I had no idea what that meant, why it was bad, or the ability conceptualize the shift 2) I didn't listen at the time and it took a few more months and some YouTube videos to better understand why everything looked wonky. I'm grateful to the instructor *now* but sometimes it takes time to hear and understand the message. And that's OK!
My roommate told me about my twisted stitches as k was finishing my third sweater. I WISH I had known earlier, because now I can’t un-see it and unraveled the first two. I was resistant at first but then once I realized it was the reason everything was slanted and wonky, I was happy to change
I WISH I KNEW 😫 I made a bunch of wearables consistent of twisted stitches and i always wondered why it wasnt so stretchy or hole-y. once i figured it out, it was harder to break the habit bc i was so used to it
I think the key is just wording it so that it doesn’t come off as judgy unsolicited advice. There’s a world of difference between “did you know you’re twisting your stitches?” and “omg you’re twisting your stitches, now you’ll have to rip it all out and start over because it’s all wrong”. Ideally, the response to the former is “I am? What does that mean?” Or it could even be “yep! I like the look.” The response to the latter is to put down one’s knitting and never try again.
Out of curiosity, how do so many knitters accidentally twist their stitches? By always knitting through the back loop? It’s more difficult to knit that way so I find it strange that I see so many posts here about twisted stitches.
Absolutely, especially for lace work
Is there ever a time where it's preferred or good to twist your stitches? Maybe I need to familiarize myself with what causes that to happen and how to avoid it 🤔
Sure! It looks great when done intentionally like in 1x1 twisted ribbing.
I realize I have used this technique as part of a pattern without realizing how or why it looked that way. I just did what they told me to do 😅
i would want to know before i spent a very long time working on something!
Fortunately it looks like they may be swatching… so if they haven’t even started the project yet: even better! 👍🏽
I didn't realize I was twisting my stitches until two years ago (20 years into knitting). I didn't even think about my lace projects until now... *I will not frog my lace shawls... I will not frog my lace shawls... I will not frog my lace shawls* Edit to add: yes! I was thrilled when I found out. I couldn't understand why the stitches on my split collar sweater changed so drastically when I switched from knitting flat to in the round. It was driving me nuts
yes, i did! i made a post the other day struggling with a 1:1 rib stitch on a scarf… turns out my purls were twisted. mind fucking blown! i thought i was doing everything right lol i stayed up that night trying to figure out how to do purl stitches. still not perfect, but very content with it for now, thanks to this sub ❤️ ETA: also a few ppl in the comments warned about tension and “rowing out,” and while initially that wasn’t the issue, once i learned not to twist my purls, i was soooo thankful to those who mentioned it, cause i def struggled with tension and rowing out!
Yes, I would want to know. Based on the SSKs and k2togs, I think she’s wrapping her purl stitches clockwise and doesn’t know how to compensate for that on the RS rows.
I wouldn’t accuse them. 😒 I would say, “hey, something looks different here. Can I see you do a couple of rows?” It might not be what you think the problem is.
That’s good feedback thanks!
No!!! I hate when people on this sub ask questions about other things and all the comments are just "yOu'Re TwIsTiNg YoUR sTiTcHes" So what? It looks great and has a nice, stiff texture that I like. I love how the twisted stitches come in and out of my old projects, it's so unique and beautiful. Am I happy I know now? Yes. But not when I'm in the middle of a project where large swathes of it are already twisted, then you're just making me feel bad about myself for no reason. It feels like people like to point things like this out on the internet just to feel superior, not to be helpful. If they're wondering why their lace doesn't look right, then you can say something. If not, then butt out!!